Surgical instruments with structures to provide access for cleaning

ABSTRACT

A surgical instrument configured to facilitate access to interior components thereof for cleaning and refurbishment purposes includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft assembly and an end effector. The housing assembly includes an actuator, and the elongated shaft assembly includes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator. The elongated shaft assembly also includes outer cover including first and second cover members and a hinge coupling the first and second cover members to one another such that the outer cover may be selectively moved between a closed configuration wherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer cover and an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposed. The end effector is supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly, and is operatively associated with the interior control member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/922,377, filed on Jun. 20, 2013, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/664,505, filed Jun.26, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of reposable orreusable surgical instruments. In particular, the disclosure relates toinstruments having structures for facilitating cleaning andrefurbishment of the instruments for reuse.

2. Background of Related Art

Instruments such as electrosurgical forceps are commonly used in openand endoscopic surgical procedures to coagulate, cauterize and sealtissue. Such forceps typically include a pair of jaws that can becontrolled by a surgeon to grasp targeted tissue, such as, e.g., a bloodvessel. The jaws may be approximated to apply a mechanical clampingforce to the tissue, and are associated with at least one electrodesurface to permit the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue.The combination of the mechanical clamping force and the electrosurgicalenergy has been demonstrated to join adjacent layers of tissue capturedbetween the jaws. When the adjacent layers of tissue include the wallsof a blood vessel, sealing the tissue may result in hemostasis.Thereafter, the sealed tissue may be transected by advancing a knifethrough the jaws. A detailed discussion of the use of an electrosurgicalforceps may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,697 to Dycus et al.

In use, various tissue-contacting components of an electrosurgicalforceps tend to become contaminated or degraded. For example, electrodesmay become contaminated as portions of the treated tissue adhere to thetissue-contacting surfaces of the electrodes. Also, a knife blade maybecome dull and less effective in transecting sealed tissue afterrepeated use, even in a single surgical procedure. In order to provideclean electrodes and a sharp knife for a particular surgical procedure,a brand new instrument is often used. Once the procedure is complete,the used instrument is discarded.

Instruments that are reposable, or reusable for multiple procedures,reduce the instrumentation costs per procedure. Providing a reusableelectrosurgical forceps, however, presents various challenges. Forexample, the complexity of an electrosurgical forceps tends to result infairly labor intensive cleaning procedures to prepare the forceps forsubsequent use. Improper cleaning may result in dangerous contaminationbeing introduced into the surgical site. Also, some reusable forcepshave removable and replaceable components that provide clean surfacesfor each use. Many of these instruments require arduous disassembly andreassembly procedures that require extensive training, and maydiscourage use of the instrument.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a surgical instrument for treatingtissue. The surgical instrument includes a housing assembly having anactuator and an elongated shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axisand extending from the housing assembly. The elongated shaft assemblyincludes an interior control member operatively coupled to the actuator,and an outer cover including first and second cover members. A hingecouples the first and second cover members to one another such that theouter cover may be selectively moved between a closed configurationwherein the interior control member is enclosed within the outer coverand an open configuration wherein the interior control member is exposedto an exterior of the instrument. The instrument also includes an endeffector supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly thatis operatively associated with the interior control member.

The hinge may extend along a longitudinal seam defined between the firstand second cover members, and the end effector may be releasablysupported at the distal end of the elongated shaft assembly. The endeffector may move unencumbered in a lateral direction when the outercover is in the open configuration and movement of the end effector maybe encumbered by the outer cover when the outer cover is in the closedconfiguration. The elongated shaft assembly may also include a latch forselectively maintaining the outer cover in the closed configuration.

The interior control member may be a reciprocating member longitudinallymovable in response to manipulation of the actuator. The end effectormay include a pair of jaw members movable from an open configurationwherein the jaw members are substantially spaced relative to one anotherto a closed configuration wherein the jaw members are closer together inresponse to longitudinal motion of the control member.

The hinge may also be defined along a distal edge of the first andsecond cover members, and the elongated shaft assembly may include astructural support extending between the housing assembly and the endeffector. The structural support maintains a longitudinal distancebetween the housing assembly and the end effector and is disposed suchthat it is enclosed within the outer cover when the outer cover is inthe closed configuration.

According to another aspect of the disclosure a surgical instrumentincludes a housing assembly having an actuator, and an elongated shaftassembly defining a longitudinal axis and extending from the housingassembly. The elongated shaft assembly includes an interior controlmember operatively coupled to the actuator. An end effector is supportedat a distal end of the elongated shaft assembly and is operativelyassociated with the interior control member. A hinge is operable toselectively provide access to the interior control member for cleaningand to selectively restrict access to the interior control member duringoperation of the instrument.

The elongated shaft assembly may include first and second cover members,and the hinge may be disposed between the first and second cover membersof the shaft assembly. Alternatively or additionally, the housingassembly may include first and second housing members, and the hinge maybe disposed between the first and second housing members of the housingassembly. At least one of the first and second housing members mayinclude a conformable material around a periphery thereof for forming ahermetic seal when engaged with the other of the first and secondhousing members. The hinge may be positioned to permit the first andsecond housing members to open along a plane substantially normal to theelongated shaft assembly. The interior control member may include aconnector at a proximal end thereof for engaging a proximal drive memberwithin the housing, and the proximal drive member may be operativelyassociated with the actuator. The housing assembly may also include alatch for maintaining the first and second housing members in a closedconfiguration and for maintaining engagement of the connector with theproximal drive member.

The surgical instrument may also include a cable extending from thehousing assembly. The cable may be connectable to a source ofelectrosurgical energy, and the connector may include electricalcontacts thereon for receiving electrosurgical energy from the cable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentdisclosure and, together with the detailed description of theembodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an endoscopic surgical instrument havinga hinged shaft assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an endoscopic surgical instrument having aclamshell shaft assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an open, u-shaped shaft assembly inaccordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an endoscopic surgical instrument having ahinged housing assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an endoscopic surgical instrument having ahinged housing assembly and a replaceable shaft assembly in accordancewith an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a schematic view of an endoscopic surgical instrument havingreleasable reciprocating members separable from a housing of theinstrument in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B is a partial, schematic view of a release mechanism forfacilitating releasable connection of the reciprocating members of FIG.6A to the housing of the instrument;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an endoscopic surgical instrument having aremovable and disassemblable shaft assembly in accordance with analternate embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic view of a connection mechanism forfacilitating releasable connection of a shaft assembly to a housing ofan instrument in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an endoscopic surgical instrument having ahousing with fluid ports to permit circulation of a cleaning solutionthrough an interior of the housing; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an endoscopic surgical instrument havinga skeleton-like external shaft including exposed reciprocating members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to instruments having structures forfacilitating cleaning and refurbishment of the instruments for reuse.Many of the instruments described herein include structures that provideaccess to interior components, which may become contaminated during asurgical procedure.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electrosurgicalinstrument 10 is depicted. The instrument 10 includes a housing orhandle assembly 12 for remotely controlling an end effector 14 throughan elongated shaft assembly 16. Although this configuration is typicallyassociated with instruments for use in laparoscopic or endoscopicsurgical procedures, various aspects of the present disclosure may bepracticed with traditional open instruments, and in connection withendoluminal procedures as well.

The instrument 10 is coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy,e.g., an electrosurgical generator 18. Generator 18 may include devicessuch as the LIGASURE® Vessel Sealing Generator and the Force Triad®Generator as sold by Covidien. A cable 20 extends between the handleassembly 12 and the generator 18, and includes a connector 22 forcoupling the instrument 10 to the external generator 18. In otherembodiments (not shown) a battery powered instrument may be provided inwhich a generator and connector may be internal or integral with theinstrument 10. The connector 22 includes two prong members 22 a and 22 bthat are dimensioned to physically and electrically connect theinstrument 10 to opposite terminals, e.g., positive or active (+) andnegative or return (−) terminals associated with the generator 18. Thus,bipolar energy may be provided through the instrument 10. Alternatively,the instrument 10 may be configured for delivering monopolar energy tothe tissue. In a monopolar configuration, the instrument 10 deliverselectrosurgical energy from an active terminal, e.g. (+), while a returnpad (not shown) is placed generally beneath a patient and provides areturn path to the opposite terminal, e.g. (−), of the generator 18.

To control the end effector 14, the handle assembly 12 includes astationary handle 24 and movable handle 26. The movable handle 26 may beseparated and approximated relative to the stationary handle 24 torespectively open and close the end effector 14. A rotation knob 28 isprovided on the handle assembly 12 to permit rotation of the elongatedshaft assembly 16 and the end effector 14 about a longitudinal axis X-Xdefined by the elongated shaft assembly 16. A trigger 30 is alsodisposed on the handle assembly 12, and is operable to extend andretract a knife 204 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) through the end effector 14. Afootswitch (not shown) may be provided to initiate and terminate thedelivery of electrosurgical energy to the end effector 14.

The elongated shaft assembly 16 includes hinged outer cover 32 with alower member 32 a and an upper member 32 b. The lower member 32 a isfixed to the rotation knob 28, and the upper member 32 b is pivotallyconnected to the lower member 32 a about a longitudinal hinge 32 c thatis parallel to the longitudinal axis X-X. The outer cover 32 is thusmovable between a closed configuration wherein the outer cover 32exhibits a generally circular cross section, and an open configurationas depicted. The outer cover 32 includes a latch 32 d, which maintainsthe cover 32 in the closed configuration during use of the instrument10. When the cover 32 is in the closed configuration, a hermetic seal isestablished between the lower and upper members 32 a, 32 b of the outercover 32. One or both of the lower and upper members 32 a, 32 b mayinclude a conformable material (see, e.g., FIG. 4) along an edge orperiphery thereof such that a hermetic seal is formed when the lower andupper members 32 a, 32 b engage one another.

Extending through the outer cover 32 is a pair of control members orreciprocating members 36 and 38. Reciprocating member 36 is operativelycoupled to the moveable handle 26 and reciprocating member 38 isoperatively coupled to the trigger 30 such that respective operation ofthe moveable handle 26 and the trigger 30 induces longitudinal motion ofthe reciprocating members 36, 38 through the outer cover 32. A distalend of the reciprocating member 36 includes an undulating trapezoidalprofile to permit the reciprocating member 36 to interlock with acorrespondingly shaped proximal end of a drive member 42 extending fromthe end effector 14 to transfer longitudinal motion thereto. Similarly,a distal end of the reciprocating member 38 includes an undulatingtrapezoidal profile to permit the reciprocating member 38 to interlockwith a correspondingly shaped proximal end of a drive member 44extending from the end effector 14. The drive member 42 is operable tomove the end effector 14 between the open configuration depicted and aclosed configuration (see FIG. 9). The drive member 44 is operable toadvance a knife through the end effector 14.

In use, a clinician or an operator may operatively connect the endeffector 14 to the movable handle 26 and trigger 30 by approximating theend effector 14 with the shaft assembly 16 in a lateral direction alongan axis Y-Y that is transverse to the longitudinal axis X-X to engagethe reciprocating member 36 with the drive member 42 and to engage thereciprocating member 38 with the drive member 44. Electricalconnectivity may also be established between the end effector 14 and thehandle assembly 12 through electrical connectors (not shown). Closingand latching the outer cover 32 will maintain engagement of thereciprocating members 36, 38 with the drive members 42, 44 since theupper member 32 b of the outer cover 32 interferes with the lateralmotion of the end effector 14 when the cover 32 is in the closedconfiguration. The instrument 10 may then be used in a surgicalprocedure, which may tend to contaminate interior components such as thereciprocating members 36 and 38. After the procedure, the outer cover 32may be unlatched and opened to release the end effector 14. In the openconfiguration the reciprocating members 36, 38 are exposed, and may bereadily scrubbed, washed and/or sterilized. The end effector 14 may besterilized or replaced to ready the instrument 10 for subsequent use.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an instrument 50 includes an elongated shaftassembly 52 that employs an alternate mechanism for providing access tothe interior shaft components. The elongated shaft assembly 52 includesa clamshell outer cover 54 including a lower clamshell member 54 a andan upper clamshell member 54 b. The outer cover 54 includes a snap fitinter-engaging connector 54 c for selectively coupling the upper andlower clamshell members 54 a, 54 b to one another. The elongated shaftassembly 52 includes a structural support 60 extending between housing62 and end effector 64. The structural support 60 maintains the endeffector 64 at a fixed longitudinal distance from the housing 62 asreciprocating members 66 a and 66 b (depicted schematically in phantom)move to activate the end effector 64 and knife (not shown). Anelectrical signal may be transmitted through the structural support 60to provide the end effector 64 with electrosurgical energy.

The electrical signal may be transmitted via a monopolar, bipolar, ormulti-polar arrangement associated with the instrument 50. In the caseof monopolar transmission, the electrical signal passes through the endeffector 64 via one or more electrodes (not shown in detail) disposedthereon, through the tissue, and to a return electrode such as a returnpad (not shown). In the instance of a bipolar arrangement, theelectrical signal may pass from a first electrode (not shown in detail)disposed in the end effector 64 through the tissue and into a secondelectrode (not shown in detail) disposed on another portion of the endeffector 64. A multi-polar instrument may combine three or moreelectrodes placed on or in electrical proximity to end effector 64 suchthat the electrical path of the electrical signal may be modified orselected during a procedure.

The structural support 60 also includes a stop 68 at a distal endthereof. The stop 68 receives distal ends of the clamshell members 54 a,54 b and facilitates pivoting of the clamshell members 54 a, 54 b towardone another to close the outer cover 54. Thus, the stop 68 serves as ahinge defined at a distal edge of the clamshell members 54 a, 54 b.

Instrument 50 may further include a knife assembly (not shown in FIG. 2)disposed within clamshell members 54 a, 54 b and configured to severtissue held by end effector 64. The elongated shaft assembly 52, the endeffector 64, structural support 60, reciprocating members 66 a, 66 b,and or clamshell member 54 a, 54 b may also be configured to rotaterelative to housing 62.

In use, the outer cover 54 may be closed to protect the structuralsupport 60 and the reciprocating members 66 a, 66 b during a surgicalprocedure. The snap fit connector 54 c may then be disengaged to openthe outer cover 54 and expose the interior components 60, 66 a, 66 b tofacilitate cleaning of the instrument 50.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an elongated shaft assembly 74 includes anelongated, u-shaped structural support 76. The structural support 76defines a longitudinal channel 78 in which a reciprocating member 80 anda pair of electrical wires 82 a and 82 b extend. The structural support76 provides protection for the reciprocating member 80 and the wires 82a, 82 b, and provides an open side 84 to provide access to theseinterior components 80 and 82 a, 82 b for cleaning. This open structuremay reduce the need for disassembly of the shaft assembly 74 forcleaning, and may also facilitate assembly of the shaft assembly 74during manufacturing and/or refurbishment of the shaft assembly 74.While not specifically shown in FIG. 3, other devices may also beincluded within support 76 such as, but not limited to, insufflationtubing, suction tubing, and a knife assembly disposed within thereciprocating member 80 or in any other suitable manner to sever tissueheld by an end effector (not shown in FIG. 3). Also, while a pair ofwires 82 a and 82 b are shown, there may be more or less wires and thewires may be used to transmit an electrical signal in a monopolar,bipolar, or multi-polar fashion. For example, in a monopolar scenario,wires 82 a and 82 b transmit electrical current to one or moreelectrodes on an end effector (not shown in FIG. 3), which travelsthrough tissue and into a return electrode such as an external returnpad.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an instrument 88 includes a hinged outer cover90. The outer cover 90 includes a lower housing member 90 a and an upperhousing member 90 b coupled to one another by a hinge 90 c. The outercover 90 may be may be closed to form a stationary handle 92 of theinstrument 88, and opened (as depicted) to provide access to an interiorof the instrument 88 for cleaning thereof. A band 90 d of an elastomericor other conformable material is provided about a periphery of the upperhousing member 90 b to engage a periphery of the lower housing member 90a when the outer cover 90 is closed. Thus, the outer cover 90 forms ahermetic seal when closed to discourage the passage of contaminants intothe interior of the outer cover 90. The outer cover 90 may beconstructed of metal or other heavy-duty materials such that the outercover 90 may withstand the rigors of multiple surgical uses andrefurbishment cycles.

The lower housing member 90 a pivotally supports a movable handle 94about a pivot point 96. A lever member 102 extends from the movablehandle 94 and engages a reciprocating member 104 for impartinglongitudinal motion thereto upon pivotal movement of the movable handle94. A chamber 108 defined at a proximal end of the reciprocating member104 includes a spring 110 for imparting a biasing force to thereciprocating member 104 to maintain the movable handle 94 in aseparated position relative to the stationary handle 92, (and thus,maintain an end effector 112 in an open configuration). The chamber 108also provides an electrical connector 114 for coupling toelectrosurgical cable 120. The chamber 108 may be filled with an epoxyor another protective substance to protect these interior components110, 114 from contamination. Thus, these components (i.e., spring 110and electrical connector 114) which may have intricate externalgeometries and may present difficulty in cleaning, may not requiredirect cleaning to prepare the instrument 88 for subsequent use. Theexterior surfaces of the epoxy may be cleaned, or these components 110,114 may simply be replaced.

Instrument 88 may further include a knife assembly (not shown in FIG. 4)configured to sever tissue held by end effector 112. Similar to theabove disclosed embodiments, the elongated shaft assembly, the endeffector 112, structural support 60, and/or reciprocating member 104,may be configured to rotate relative to cover 90. Instrument 88 may alsobe configured for monopolar, bipolar, or multi-polar use.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an instrument 126 includes a hinged outer cover130. The outer cover 130 includes a proximal housing member 130 a and adistal housing member 130 b coupled to one another by a hinge 130 c. Alatch 130 d is provided to allow the outer cover 130 to be maintained ina closed configuration (not shown). The hinge 130 c is positioned topermit the hinged outer cover 130 to open along a plane substantiallynormal to an elongated shaft assembly 132. This arrangement allows theelongated shaft assembly 132 to pivot into alignment with drive member140.

The elongated shaft assembly 132 is supported by the distal housingmember 130 b and includes at least one reciprocating member 136 and aconnector 138 at a proximal end thereof. The proximal housing member 130a supports a proximal drive member 140 that is longitudinally movable inresponse to pivotal movement of a movable handle 143. The proximal drivemember 140 includes a connector 142 at a distal end thereof for engagingthe connector 138 of the reciprocating member 136 when the outer cover130 is moved to the closed configuration. The engagement of theconnectors 138, 142 permit longitudinal motion to be transmitted betweenthe reciprocating member 136 and the proximal drive member 140. Theconnectors 138, 142 may also include electrical terminals (not shown)that permit an electrosurgical current to be transmitted fromelectrosurgical cable 144 supported on the proximal housing member 130 ato the elongated shaft 130 b supported by the distal housing member 130b. The latch 130 d maintains the engagement of the connectors 138, 142as well as maintaining the outer cover 130 in the closed configuration.

Instrument 126 may further include a knife assembly (not shown in FIG.5) configured to sever tissue held by an end effector (not shown in FIG.5). Similar to the above disclosed embodiments, the elongated shaftassembly 132, the end effector (not shown in FIG. 5), and/orreciprocating member 136, may be configured to rotate relative toproximal housing member 130 a and/or distal housing member 130 b.Instrument 126 may also be configured for monopolar, bipolar, ormulti-polar use.

In use, the instrument 126 may be used for a surgical procedure with theouter cover 130 in the closed position. Thereafter, to refurbish theinstrument 126, the outer cover 130 may be opened to provide access tothe elongated shaft assembly 132. The reciprocating member 136, or theentire elongated shaft assembly may be removed from the distal housingmember 130 b from either an exterior distal side thereof or a proximalinterior side thereof. The elongated shaft assembly 132 may then bereadily cleaned and replaced.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an instrument 150 includes a pushbutton release mechanism 152 for selectively releasing interiorcomponents of an elongated shaft assembly 154. The elongated shaftassembly 154 includes an outer shaft member 158 extending from a housing160, and at least one reciprocating member 162 extending through theouter shaft member 158. Similar to the above disclosed embodiments, theelongated shaft assembly 154, the end effector, and/or reciprocatingmember 162, may be configured to rotate relative to housing 160.Instrument 150 may also be configured for monopolar, bipolar, ormulti-polar use.

The release mechanism 152 permits the reciprocating member 162 toselectively release from engagement with the outer shaft member 158 bydepressing push button 166. Pushbutton 166, which is movable relative tothe housing in the lateral direction of arrow “A”, engages a sled 168,which is biased in a direction opposite arrow “A” by a biasing membersuch as spring 170. The sled 168 includes opposed hooked ends 168 a and168 b that allow the sled 168 to engage the reciprocating member 162 anda proximal drive member 172. The proximal drive member 172 may beoperatively coupled to movable handle 174 (see FIG. 6A) to allowlongitudinal motion thereto, e.g., in the direction of arrow “B”, inresponse to pivotal motion of the handle 174. The spring 170 normallymaintains the engagement of the sled 168 with the reciprocating member162 and a proximal drive member 172. The sled 168 is movable in thelongitudinal direction of arrow “B” such that longitudinal motion may betransmitted between the reciprocating member 162 and the proximal drivemember 172.

When the pushbutton 166 is depressed against the bias of the spring 170,the sled 168 is induced to move in the direction of arrow “A” todisengage the reciprocating member 162 and a proximal drive member 172.The reciprocating member 162 may then be removed for cleaning orreplacement. When the pushbutton 166 is released, the sled 168re-engages the proximal drive member 172. To re-connect thereciprocating member 162 to the sled 168, the reciprocating member 162may be approximated with the sled 168 in the longitudinal direction ofarrow “B.” Sloped sides of the hooked end 168 a of the sled 168 providea lead-in to facilitate re-connection of the reciprocating member 162.

The release mechanism 152 may accommodate additional reciprocatingmembers e.g., 176. The sled 168 may be arranged to accept multiplereciprocating members 172, 176 arranged in parallel. A knife assembly(not shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) may also be slidably disposed withinreciprocating member 162 configured to sever tissue held by the endeffector. The knife assembly (not shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) may beconfigured to release via release mechanism 152 similar to reciprocatingmember 162 or via a separate release mechanism (not shown).

Referring now to FIG. 7, instrument 180 includes a shaft assembly 182that is selectively releasable from a housing 184 by a latch 186. Oncereleased from the housing 184, the shaft assembly 182 may be readilydisassembled into its constituent parts. For example, a pivot pin 190may be removed from an outer shaft member 192 and jaw members 194, 196,and a cam pin 198 may be removed from a reciprocating drive tube 202 anda knife 204 to disassemble the shaft assembly 182. Disassembly of theshaft assembly 182 permits the exterior surfaces of each of theconstituent parts to be cleaned and/or evaluated for need ofreplacement. The pivot pin 190 and cam pin 198 may then be reassembledto establish operation of the jaw members 194, 196 as described forexample in U.S. Pat. No. 7,255,697 to Dycus et al. Similar to the abovedisclosed embodiments, the elongated shaft assembly 182 and/or the jawmembers 194, 196 may be configured to rotate relative to housing 184.Instrument 180 may also be configured for monopolar, bipolar, ormulti-polar use.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a connection mechanism 210 is depicted forselectively securing a removable shaft assembly 212 to an instrumenthousing 214. The mechanism 210 includes a cam latch 216 that pivotsabout an axis 218 as a tapered proximal end 222 of the shaft assembly212 is longitudinally approximated therewith. The cam latch 216 securesthe shaft assembly 212 in the housing 214 while permitting rotationalmotion of the shaft assembly 212 in response to rotation of a rotationknob 224. Round electrical contacts 226 on the shaft assembly 212 permitelectrical connectivity to be maintained between the shaft assembly 212and the housing 214 as the shaft assembly 212 rotates. Connectionmechanism 210 may be further configured for use with a knife assembly(not shown in FIG. 8) configured to sever tissue held by an end effector(not shown in FIG. 8). Connection mechanism 210 may be furtherconfigured to allow for monopolar, bipolar, or multi-polar use.

Referring now to FIG. 9, instrument 230 includes fluid ports 232 and 234a to permit circulation of a cleaning solution through a housing 236 a.The fluid ports 232, 234 a are configured to receive a fluid conduit,e.g., conduit 238, and may include a valve for selective opening andclosing of the fluid ports 232, 234 a. When the ports 232, 234 a areclosed, the housing 236 a may be substantially hermetically sealed. Whenthe ports 232, 234 a are opened, a cleaning solution or sterilizationfluid delivered under pressure to fluid port 232, may be circulatedthrough the housing 236 a past interior components, depictedschematically as 240, and withdrawn from the port 234 a. Interiorcomponents 240 may include reciprocating members, electrical components,and/or connection mechanisms, etc. for facilitating operation of theinstrument 230. The housing 236 may include fins 242 or other obstaclestherein that direct a circulating cleaning solution toward the interiorcomponents 240.

The port 234 a is disposed on the housing 236 a. An additional oralternative port 234 b may also be disposed on a shaft member 236 b,which extends from the housing 236 a. The port 234 b may be positionedat any location along the shaft member 236 b including proximal anddistal ends of the shaft member 236 b.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an instrument 250 includes a skeleton shaft252. The shaft 252 includes a structural support 254 extending from astationary handle 256, and a pair of reciprocating members 258, 260coupled to a movable handle 262 for actuating an end effector 264. Thereciprocating members 258, 260 may be constructed of wires or smallrods, and are exposed to an exterior of the instrument 250. Thus, theskeleton shaft 252 represents mechanism with relatively low complexitythat may be readily cleaned without any disassembly of the instrument250.

The various embodiments disclosed herein may also be configured to workwith robotic surgical systems and what is commonly referred to as“Telesurgery”. Such systems employ various robotic elements to assistthe surgeon in the operating room and allow remote operation (or partialremote operation) of surgical instrumentation. Various robotic arms,gears, cams, pulleys, electric and mechanical motors, etc. may beemployed for this purpose and may be designed with a robotic surgicalsystem to assist the surgeon during the course of an operation ortreatment. Such robotic systems may include remotely steerable systems,automatically flexible surgical systems, remotely flexible surgicalsystems, remotely articulating surgical systems, wireless surgicalsystems, modular or selectively configurable remotely operated surgicalsystems, etc.

The robotic surgical systems may be employed with one or more consolesthat are next to the operating theater or located in a remote location.In this instance, one team of surgeons or nurses may prep the patientfor surgery and configure the robotic surgical system with one or moreof the instruments as disclosed herein while another surgeon (or groupof surgeons) remotely control the instruments via the robotic surgicalsystem. As can be appreciated, a highly skilled surgeon may performmultiple operations in multiple locations without leaving his/her remoteconsole which can be both economically advantageous and a benefit to thepatient or a series of patients.

The robotic arms of the surgical system are typically coupled to a pairof master handles by a controller. The handles can be moved by thesurgeon to produce a corresponding movement of the working ends of anytype of surgical instrument (e.g., end effectors, graspers, knifes,scissors, etc.) which may complement the use of one or more of theembodiments described herein. The movement of the master handles may bescaled so that the working ends have a corresponding movement that isdifferent, smaller, or larger, than the movement performed by theoperating hands of the surgeon. The scale factor or gearing ratio may beadjustable so that the operator can control the resolution of theworking ends of the surgical instrument(s).

The master handles may include various sensors to provide feedback tothe surgeon relating to various tissue parameters or conditions, e.g.,tissue resistance due to manipulation, cutting or otherwise treating,pressure by the instrument onto the tissue, tissue temperature, tissueimpedance, etc. As can be appreciated, such sensors provide the surgeonwith enhanced tactile feedback simulating actual operating conditions.The master handles may also include a variety of different actuators fordelicate tissue manipulation or treatment further enhancing thesurgeon's ability to mimic actual operating conditions.

Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example, for purposes of clarity orunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; adrive member movably disposed within the housing; an outer shaftdefining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion configured tocouple to the housing; a reciprocating member configured to reciprocatealong the longitudinal axis defined by the outer shaft; and a releasemechanism operably coupled to the housing and including a sleddetachably coupled between the drive member and the reciprocatingmember, the sled configured to move along the longitudinal axis andtransmit longitudinal motion between the reciprocating member and thedrive member, wherein the release mechanism is configured to releasablyinterconnect the drive member and the reciprocating member via movementof the sled.
 2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, whereinthe sled has a proximal portion configured to releasably couple to thedrive member and a distal portion configured to releasably couple to aproximal portion of the reciprocating member.
 3. The surgical instrumentaccording to claim 2, wherein each of the proximal and distal portionsof the sled has a hooked configuration to complimentarily engage therespective drive member and the proximal portion of the reciprocatingmember.
 4. The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein thedistal portion of the sled defines a tapered surface configured tocontact the proximal portion of the reciprocating member uponlongitudinal insertion of the reciprocating member into the housing. 5.The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the sled ismovable between a first position, in which the sled is aligned with thedrive member and the reciprocating member, and a second position, inwhich the sled is out of alignment with the drive member and thereciprocating member.
 6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5,wherein the sled moves in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis as the sled moves between the first and second positions.
 7. Thesurgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the release mechanismfurther includes a biasing member configured to bias the sled toward thefirst position.
 8. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, whereinthe sled is suspended within a cavity defined in the housing by thebiasing member.
 9. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, whereinthe sled is axially movable relative to the biasing member.
 10. Thesurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the biasing member iscompressed as the sled moves from the first position toward the secondposition.
 11. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein therelease mechanism further includes a button associated with the sled andaccessible via an access hole defined in the housing, the sled beingslidable relative to the button.
 12. The surgical instrument accordingto claim 11, wherein the sled moves from the first position to thesecond position in response to movement of the button in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer shaft.
 13. Thesurgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the sled is disposedbetween the biasing member and the button.
 14. The surgical instrumentaccording to claim 1, further comprising an end effector supported at adistal portion of the outer shaft and operatively associated with adistal portion of the reciprocating member such that axial movement ofthe reciprocating member actuates a function of the end effector.
 15. Amethod of disassembling a surgical instrument, comprising: moving abutton of a release mechanism relative to a housing of the surgicalinstrument along a transverse axis to initiate movement of a sled of therelease mechanism out of engagement with a drive member to detach thedrive member from a reciprocating member, the drive member disposedwithin the housing and the reciprocating member extending distally fromthe housing, wherein the sled is configured to move along a longitudinalaxis defined by the drive member and transmit longitudinal motionbetween the reciprocating member and the drive member; and removing thereciprocating member from the housing.
 16. The method according to claim15, further comprising one of: cleaning the reciprocating member afterthe removal thereof; or replacing the reciprocating member with a cleanreplacement reciprocating member after the reciprocating member isremoved from the housing.
 17. The method according to claim 15, furthercomprising: moving a clean reciprocating member into the housing along alongitudinal axis defined by the clean reciprocating member; engaging aproximal portion of the clean reciprocating member with a distal portionof the sled to move the sled from a first position, in which the sled isaligned with the clean reciprocating member, to a second position, inwhich the sled is out of alignment with the clean reciprocating member;and moving the sled from the second position to the first position toform a connection between the proximal portion of the cleanreciprocating member and the distal portion of the sled.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein the sled is moved from the secondposition to the first position via a biasing member that supports thesled thereon.
 19. The method according to claim 15, wherein moving thesled relative to the housing disengages a proximal portion of the sledfrom the drive member disposed within the housing.